PAUL Lambert reckons Karim El Ahmadi can get the ball rolling for Villa as the midfield general continues to impress during Villa’s pre-season.

Lambert is trying to pass on a footballing philosophy to his claret and blue players and El Ahmadi is already producing some exciting performances. And the Villa manager believes the Moroccan international can be a centre-of-the-park all-rounder rather than being typecast in a particular role.

“He is someone I have been aware of for a while,” said Lambert.

“If he can do what I think he can do then I think he will be great for us. He is a very good footballer. I don’t think he’s a set player in terms of being defensive or offensive. He can do most things and could do both roles if I asked him to.

“I won’t curtail him and will let him play with freedom because I think that is the way he plays. He’s played at a top club in Feyenoord and played in some big games in Holland as well.’’

Lambert is hopeful El Ahmadi will be fully up to speed for the Premier League kick-off a fortnight today after a full pre-season campaign.

“It was pleasing to get it done early because we needed someone who can put their foot on the ball and move it about a bit quicker and I think he’ll do that for us,” he said.

“What will help Karim is that he is in here from the beginning.

‘‘He is here right from the off – it is not as if he is coming the day before we play West Ham and it’s a culture shock and he’s in a situation where he has not trained much.

“He’s here right from the start so it should not really be a hindrance to him.

“I think if you give him the confidence he’ll go and play. He might need a little bit of time, but once he’s in with the guys he’ll be fine.”

Lambert insists El Ahmadi’s willingness to sacrifice a potential Champions League campaign with Feyenoord shows his commitment to Villa.

“Feyenoord is huge football club,’’ the manager added.

‘‘I’ve been over a couple of times to see them play and they are a club with a great tradition but I’m pretty sure coming to the Premier League will be different challenge and also a different culture for Karim.

“Dutch football is still a very strong league. You only have to look at Ajax and the way they played against Manchester United in the Champions League to realise that – they were very good.

“There’s some big clubs and Karim has come from one of them. It won’t faze him coming here.”